Cladosporium: A Trigger for Asthmatic Attacks

Cladosporium, a well known trigger for asthmatic attacks, is one of the most widespread molds.

It includes about 40 species naturally found in soil, on decaying plant material and as plant pathogens. Several studies conducted in Europe and North America have shown that Cladosporium spores are present in the outdoor environment throughout the year.

However, concentrations are very low in winter. In summer, daily peaks may range from 2,000 to 50,000 spores per cubic meter of air. The concentration of Cladosporium species in indoor air is influenced by outdoor concentrations and indoor growth sources.

The four most common Cladosporium species:

Cladosporium herbarum. An exceedingly common organism, found on dead herbaceous and woody plants, textiles, rubber, paper, and foodstuffs of all kinds. Indoors, it is found in floor, carpet and mattress dust, damp acrylic painted walls, wallpaper, HVAC insulation, filters and fans. Cladosporium herbarum is frequently the most prominent mold in air-spora. It grows over a wide range of temperatures, and has frequently been reported causing spoilage of meat in cold storage.

Cladosporium cladosporioides. A cosmopolitan species which has been isolated from meat, soil, air, textiles and paint.

Cladosporium macrocarpum. A cosmopolitan species which has been isolated from dead plants, soil, indoor air, apple juice concentrates and seeds.

The Significance of Cladosporium in Indoor Air Quality

Species of Cladosporium are not human pathogens except in some cases of immuno-compromised patients. However, Cladosporium species have the ability to trigger allergic reactions to sensitive individuals. Prolonged exposure to elevated spore concentrations can elicit chronic allergy and asthma. Concentrations of 3000 Cladosporium spores per cubic meter of air are generally taken as the threshold concentrations for clinical significance.

However, individuals may react at lower concentrations depending on their sensitivity. Spores from these types of mold are formed in simple or branched loose chains. They vary greatly in size (5-40 x 3-13 µm) and shape (ovoid, lemon-shaped, oblong, spherical). They are easily detected in spore traps, although small single celled spores may be easily mistaken for spores of other molds. Only the small sized spores (about 0.6% of total airborne spores of Cladosporium) can penetrate into the terminal bronchi and alveoli in humans.

What is the Mechanism of Sensitization?

Cladosporium herbarum is the most important allergenic species. The most important allergens that have been reported from this species are Cla h 1 (Ag-32) and Cla h2 (Ag-54). However, research has shown that strains of Cladosporium herbarum differ in the content of these allergens. Sensitization is believed to occur through inhalation of dried mycelia in house dust or inhalation of spores from outdoor or indoor sources that contain the allergens. None of the allergens identified so far are spore specific.

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Dr. Jackson Kung’u is a Microbiologist who has specialized in the field of mycology (the study of moulds and yeasts). He is a member of the Mycological Society of America. He graduated from the University of Kent at Canterbury, UK, with a Masters degree in Fungal Technology and a PhD in Microbiology. He has published several research papers in international scientific journals. Jackson has analyzed thousands of mould samples from across Canada. He also regularly teaches a course on how to recognize mould, perform effective sampling and interpret laboratory results. Jackson provides how-to advice on mould and bacteria issues. Get more information about indoor mould and bacteria at www.drjacksonkungu.com.